The Integrative Neuropsychological Theory of Executive-Related Abilities and Component Transactions (INTERACT; Garcia-Barrera, 2011) is a novel perspective on executive function(s), and the functional interactions among those neural systems thought to underlie them. INTERACT was examined in this validation study using structural equation modeling. A novel battery of computerized tasks was implemented in a sample of 218 healthy, adult, university students. Each of the derived indicator variables represented a specific aspect of performance, and corresponded with one of the five distinct executive components of INTERACT. After eliminating tasks that demonstrated poor psychometric properties, overall model fit was excellent, χ2 = 36.38, df = 44, p = .786; CFI = 1.00; RMSEA = .000. Further, INTERACT was superior to six alternative measurement models, which were theoretically-based. Although the structural model of INTERACT was too complex to be tested here, a novel analysis of the data was introduced to test the interactions among INTERACT’s components. This analysis demonstrated the significant utility of INTERACT’s fundamental theoretical predictions. Given the outcome of this initial validation study, the predictive power of INTERACT should continue to be exploited in future studies of executive function(s), and should be extended to explore executive systems in unique populations. / Graduate
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uvic.ca/oai:dspace.library.uvic.ca:1828/4034 |
| Date | 25 June 2012 |
| Creators | Frazer, Jeff |
| Contributors | Garcia-Barrera, Mauricio Alejandro |
| Source Sets | University of Victoria |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Rights | Available to the World Wide Web |
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